Deco casts doubt over Mourinho's Chelsea return

Former Chelsea midfielder Deco has questioned whether Jose Mourinho should return to Stamford Bridge if he leaves Real Madrid this summer.

The 35-year-old played under Mourinho at Porto for two years and feels the Portuguese manager will look for a new challenge rather than return to his former club.

"It is very difficult to speak about it," he told Perform.

"I don't know if he will go or not, but don't see it as the same challenge just because it is a club where he has already worked.

"I met him in December in Madrid, but we did not have much time to talk. But I don't see it as the same challenge; it will be a new one."
Mourinho made a lasting impression on Deco when the pair were at Porto during a spell which included a remarkable UEFA Champions League victory.
He is sure that whichever club Mourinho manages next season will benefit from his man-management skills.

"Mourinho was the one [manager] where I really saw something different," he added.

"He controls everything that involves football's routine. It is not only matches and training.

"He understands the way players behave, he is in control of everything happening around the game, and these things make footballers more secure.

"He has the power of convincing you, but it is not convincing you with words only, he convinces you day by day with his knowledge, which is fantastic."

And Deco is in no doubt who deserves all the credit for masterminding Porto's European success a decade ago.

"My experience with Mourinho was in Porto and without him we could never have done that extra step," he continued.

"He brought us a winning mentality, a confidence, a feeling that we could go further."